Joe le Taxi
Absolutely agree!
Those new pilots have been deprived of adequate training. The new syllabi for these new gen pilots, cost reduced beyond reason, address almost exclusively the cerebrum. SOP, procedures by memory items, QRH and so forth. The cerebrum can easily freeze in startle situations (qed by many recent incidents) and is not best suited to find the appropriate intellectual procedure in due time. The genuine basic formation though implies the cerebellum as well. This part is much less prone to freezing, but can only perform some basic functions without much intellectual thought. It is well developed in birds and there might be a reason. In startle situations they instinctively fly up and when safe their cerebrum takes it from there --> Pitch and power, when safe add appropriate procedures.
This can only be achieved by in field basic training. The modern CBT and SIM training will never achieve it adequately. If the argument is cost or environmental impact, then think: Basic training can be nicely done with new electrical training aircraft. They are affordable, underpowered, fly close to the ground and have little range. Exactly what sharpens the basic flying instincts of newbees and might be needed in startle situations.
There is no replacement for such skills. All the other necessary skills in modern aircraft and today's environment can then be acquired virtually.